Hospital merger a step closer

NHS Trust chiefs and the Health Authority have agreed formally to apply to the Government.

Hastings and Rother NHS Trust and Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trusts, which are 20 miles apart, met on neutral territory at the De La Warr Pavilion to take what was described as "an historic step" to join the two hospitals under one management.

If the bid is successful the trusts which run the Conquest Hospital at Hastings and District General at Eastbourne will merge to form a large East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust in April next year.

Hastings and Rother NHS chairman Margaret Brett said: "We are delighted to see we have the support of the local people in our attempt to move forward in a way we will hope will protect the current services in Hastings and Eastbourne and offer facilities for developing further high level services in both."

Once the merger had taken place, a review of clinical services will begin, subject to formal consultation.

Services currently available at Bexhill Hospital, will not be affected by the merger.